TLDR Hair analysis can help diagnose adrenal disorders non-invasively.
The study explores the use of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids in hair as a diagnostic tool for adrenal-related endocrine disorders, involving 15 volunteers (7 women and 8 men). Using a novel UPC2-MS/MS system, the researchers successfully extracted and quantified multiple steroids from hair samples, highlighting the potential of hair analysis as a non-invasive method for diagnosing conditions like Cushing's syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The study found that all glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids were detectable, with DOC being the most abundant, although cortisol and cortisone were higher in some individuals. Despite challenges in measuring steroid concentrations due to matrix effects, the method showed high recovery and process efficiency. However, further research is needed to refine the methodology and validate findings in larger cohorts.
3 citations,
May 2022 in “Clinical endocrinology” Hair steroid measurement is an effective method to diagnose and monitor CAH in developing countries.
6 citations,
February 2022 in “European journal of endocrinology” The method can measure multiple hormones in women's hair and may help identify hormone-related health issues.
11 citations,
September 2020 in “Steroids” A new method accurately measures steroid hormones in a few hair strands and could help study chronic stress and hair loss.
3 citations,
January 2017 in “Yonsei Medical Journal” Blocking 11β-HSD1 can lessen the harmful effects of glucocorticoids on hair growth cells.
10 citations,
November 2012 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Korean and Caucasian men with male pattern baldness have different hair steroid levels.
30 citations,
April 2011 in “Rapid communications in mass spectrometry/RCM. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry” Analyzing hair with this method can help understand and monitor scalp conditions and treatment effects.
501 citations,
October 2008 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol levels can show increased stress during late pregnancy but only for up to six months.
16 citations,
September 2008 in “Dermatologic Therapy” CAH is a genetic disorder affecting cortisol production and causing hormonal imbalances, with treatment and diagnosis varying by form and symptoms.
46 citations,
September 2011 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Natural 5α-reduced glucocorticoids might be anti-inflammatory with fewer side effects than current options.
116 citations,
April 2002 in “American journal of veterinary research” Trilostane effectively and safely treats dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, improving symptoms and adrenal gland size.
53 citations,
October 1984 in “Endocrine reviews” Excessive hair growth in women often has no known cause and is not linked to race or other hormonal symptoms.
6 citations,
January 2013 Hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets is linked to neutering and indoor housing, and is best treated with surgery and a deslorelin implant.
